Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet-Chapter 146: Dreaming???

Seraphina froze, Adrien’s length still in her mouth when the name slipped out of his lips like a curse.

Emerald.

Her eyes widened, disbelief turning quickly to anger. She pulled back sharply, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. "What did you just say?"

Adrien’s head lolled against the chair, sweat gleaming on his temple. His chest heaved like he’d run a hundred miles. His golden eyes looked clouded, distant, almost unfocused.

"Adrien!" Seraphina snapped sharply enough to cut through the haze.

He blinked slowly in confusion. "S... Sera?" His brows knitted together. "What... what are you doing here?"

Her lips parted in shock, but then her expression softened as something sly sparked in her eyes.

She stood, smoothing her dress. "I see you’re exhausted," she said sweetly, crossing the room to the pitcher of water.

She poured a glass, her hand slipping into her pocket where a small vial glinted. She tipped the contents into the cup with barely a ripple before carrying it back to him.

Adrien stared at it, then at her. "What’s this?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Water," she said softly, pressing it into his hands. "Drink. You’re dreaming."

His throat bobbed as he glanced between her and the cup. Without a word, he lifted it and drank slowly.

Time seemed to drag on as the world blurred around him. His limbs felt heavy, and he sank deeper into the cushions. When he looked at her again, his eyes were glazed and unfocused.

Seraphina crouched in front of him, stroking his cheek with false tenderness. "You’re not even sure what you said, are you?"

"I... I didn’t..." His voice cracked, desperate. "Sera, I swear, I didn’t mean..."

"You moaned another woman’s name while I had you in my mouth." Her voice was sharp, yet smooth and strong.

Adrien flinched, shame burning across his face. "I don’t... I don’t love her. I chose you. You’re mine. I’m yours." His voice was raw, pleading.

She smiled coldly. "Then prove it." Rising to her feet, she turned toward the door. "Figure out what you want, Adrien. Or next time, I won’t be so forgiving."

He reached out weakly, but she was already gone, the door shutting with a sharp click.

Adrien sat slumped in the chair, hands buried in his hair. His mind replayed the slip again and again, like a wound he couldn’t close.

"Emerald," he whispered, horrified. Why her? Why now? He dug his nails into his scalp, desperate to banish the thought. "I don’t love her. I don’t."

But the words sounded hollow, even to him.

—

Day four of the festival dawned with the sharp trill of birdsong. Emerald stirred against the sheets; her wolf was quiet for once. But the heavy warmth pressed against her back made her tense.

She turned her head and felt her eyes go wide. Ares was lying next to her, one arm resting casually on his stomach, breathing steadily and slowly.

"You’re still here," she murmured.

He cracked an eye open, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Disappointed?"

She blinked. "No. Just... I thought you’d vanish before sunrise like always."

"I got comfortable," he said simply, rolling onto his side to face her. His eyes swept over her, lingering. "Besides, I wasn’t about to let you go crawling to the others when your heat claws back. I’m the only one you need."

She narrowed her eyes. "I’m perfectly fine now."

His brow arched. In one smooth motion, he leaned in and kissed her. The spark ignited instantly, racing through her veins, her body betraying her. She gasped, clutching his arm before she could think.

He pulled back, looking smug. "Still sure you’re fine?"

Emerald rolled her eyes, shoving him playfully. "You’re insufferable." She slipped from the bed, grabbing her robe. "I’m taking a shower."

"Don’t be long," he teased, lounging back against the pillows.

—

The rest of the morning, Ares was glued to her side. Emerald ignored the pointed looks when she passed Kieran and Lucien together in the courtyard.

Both men’s eyes lingered too long, but she carried herself like nothing had happened.

The festival’s fourth day bustled with colour and sound. A small circus had set up in the square, acrobats twirling high above, children shrieking with laughter. There were stalls of candied nuts, rides spinning against the sky.

Emerald paused at the sight of the carousel, her lips tugging into a smile. Ares, however, stood stiffly beside her, arms folded.

"You hate this," she said knowingly.

"I hate the noise." His eyes never stopped scanning the crowd.

"You’re overprotective," she accused lightly.

"I’m selfish," he corrected. His eyes cut to her, sharp and unyielding. "And I don’t share. That won’t change."

Her lips parted, but before she could retort, a scream filled the air.

Everyone turned. A little girl was dangling from the top of one of the spinning rides, her small hands slipping from the safety bar.

Chaos erupted. Her mother shrieked, people shouted, and the ride jerked dangerously.

Emerald’s breath caught. "Someone has to..."

She was still talking, but Ares was already moving.

He leapt onto the platform, muscles coiled with effortless strength. In seconds, he scaled the metal frame, balancing on the narrow bars. The crowd gasped as he reached the girl just as her grip gave out.

He caught her, one arm wrapping her tight to his chest. With controlled ease, he climbed down and landed lightly on the ground.

The mother sobbed, pulling her daughter into her arms. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

The girl sniffled, then threw her tiny arms around Ares’ neck. Emerald saw him stiffen, clearly unsure what to do with the unexpected hug.

Around them, people cheered.

Ares shifted awkwardly, jaw tight, as though the warmth unsettled him more than the danger had. Emerald’s chest softened at the sight. For all his darkness, this... this was different.

He turned sharply, striding away from the crowd. Emerald followed, catching up easily.

Back inside the quiet of the estate, she noticed the smear of blood on his arm. "You’re hurt," she said, reaching for him.

"It’s nothing," he dismissed.

"You have a cut. You’re bleeding." She guided him toward the table, pulling out the medical kit. "Or have you forgotten you are vulnerable when I’m around?"

His eyes flickered, hardening, but he said nothing.

Her hands stilled. "It’s the curse, isn’t it?"

He exhaled slowly, gaze sliding away. "It must be."

The silence thickened.

Emerald brushed the kit aside. Her eyes locked on his, heat sparking. "Then let me remind you that you’re not alone in it."

Before he could answer, she surged forward, crashing her lips to his.